Bitcoin Forum

Hello everyone!
I hope someone can help me with my problem. Many years ago, around 2013, I had an Electrum wallet with little money on it. At the end of 2019 I wanted to open it again, after many years of not using it, and I think it appears a sign trying to change the software to a new one. I didn't know anything about that, so first I tried and copy a key, but it isn't one of 12 words (as many people comments).
I don't have the chance to open the wallet again unless I change the software and I only have that key.

Do you know if there's a chance to get it back?
I thank you in advance!

First of all make a copy of your wallet.dat file, you can still access your funds! If you remember your password too can open that copy once you manually download a new version (Do not delete the old wallet.dat!!) On Windows it's in your home folder in a the path AppData/Roaming/Electrum/wallets. On Mac and Linux the path is .electrum/wallets in your home folder.

You're using an old version of Electrum so first of all if it is a message that says something like "Your Electrum is vulnerable" or "Update your Electrum now" DO NOT CLICK ON IT! It's a phishing attempt that will steal your money.

Now, download the real Electrum from https://electrum.org/#download

After that, verify the Electrum download isn't tampered with using the guide [GUIDE] How to Safely Download and Verify Electrum [Guide] (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5240594.msg54223763#msg54223763).

Now open Electrum and it's going to ask you to open a wallet file or create a new one. At this point, open the wallet.dat copy.

Does the key start with a K or L? If it is, you will want to follow the steps above to update your Electrum and open the wallet using it. It doesn't have a .dat extension, it is just a file.

If you only have the key, create a new wallet and Select the following: Import Bitcoin Address or Private keys and key your private key (K or L) into the box.

Op should understand that importing with his bitcoin address only will create a watching-only wallet meaning that he can't withdraw out his fund but can only watch the transaction histories happened so far. It's best op import with his private key. Hope I'm right about this.

Please don't quote my post and take it out of context.

If you can still use the original version... there should be an option in the "Wallet" menu that says "Seed"... if that option is available, you should be able to get the "12 words".